I don't usually write posts trying to hawk something. But my father, Dr. Leon L. Haley has written a book about General Roscoe Robinson, Jr., the first African-American 4 star general in the Army. Who? you say. That was my first reaction when he finally let me in on the fact that hes writing this book. Most people know who Benjamin O. Davis and Colin Powell are, but I, like a lot of others, had to ask who was Roscoe Robinson.
Born in St. Louis, MO, General Robinson attended a racially segregated West Point where he experienced first hand the Army's struggle to integrate its ranks and suffered the same racially charged slights and treatment as other African-Americans in the armed forces, yet he was able to turn these experiences into positive character traits that would serve him later in life as a leader and diplomat.
Trained as an Infantry man and later earning his paratrooper wings, General Robinson served during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War where he earned the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross and eleven other Air Wing medals. He served as Commander, U.S. Army Garrison in Okinawa, Commander, U.S. Army Japan/IX Corps, and was the first African-American Commander of the elite 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. With an understanding of how he was treated at West Point, General Robnson was a leader in the integration of women into the 82nd Airborne.
Though General Robinson served every President from Truman to Reagan, the book covers, in considerable detail, General Robinson's career between 1982-1985 during which time the General served as the U.S. Represntative to NATO's military committee.
So why buy this book?
If you ever wanted to understand what President Obama goes through on a daily basis this is the book to read. The writer is able to convey to the reader that in the case of General Robinson, like President Obama, you have a highly intelligent and gifted African-American man who broke down every barrier, real and perceived, mental and physical to reach the top of his profession, yet whose experience, intelligence, and motives are questioned by others every single day. And like Obama, he never mentioned it, knowing that those questioning his abilities would see it as an excuse for failure, real or perceived.
If you don't buy it for yourself, buy it for your kids. Because, like Obama, in spite of all the slights, racist treatment, and innuendo he showed up for work evey day and performed at the highest levels, though he confronted racism on every level, he never let it dictate his temperament. (hence the title: The Quiet One) Robinson's contemporaries and those who served with him and under him characterized him as a quiet unassuming, but very drive, person -not taking credit for his own accomplishments and embracing the true spirit of the paratroopers creed:
"I shall prove my ability with comrades in arms, not by bragging about my deeds, I shall always realize that battles are won by an army fighting as a team"
The following 5-star review was posted by General Arthur Brown on Amazon.com:
"Professor Haley has written a superb, fast moving tribute to an outstanding American soldier who devoted his life to his family and to the defense of the country. Haley's research is apparent as he weaves a picture of General Robinson's life from his earliest years to his premature death in 1993. Love of family, soldiers, and the Army are all hallmarks of this terrific soldier-leader. Professor Haley's desire that this book become an inspiration to all who read it, especiall to the current generation of African-Americans will be met as more and more people of all walks of life take advantage of his thorough reasearch and clear writing style. This book is a winner as it represents a case study in thoughtful leadership." - Arthur Brown, June 28,2010
The Quiet One is available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com and directly from the publisher, Fortis, Inc